CHEMfluencer from Werner & Mertz Hallein visits MS Hallein Burgfried

“What do you think? How many of the 117 elements in the periodic table can be found in your smartphones?”. . . Today pupils in the fourth grade at the MS Hallein Burgfried are having a special kind of chemistry lesson, that is, with Sophie, a “CHEMfluencer” from Werner & Mertz Hallein. Instead of working in the lab, Sophie is at school, telling pupils about her own interest in chemistry and conducting practical experiments with them.

“Chemistry is more than a science – it’s the key to understanding the world around us,“ said CHEMfluencer Sophie Leibach with a smile. She’s happy to play the part of the teacher and share her knowledge and enthusiasm with the fourth graders.

The initiative aims to generate and reinforce interest in science at an early age. Interested pupils are encouraged to learn more about job opportunities in the chemical industry.

The “CHEMfluencer” project was initiated by the Fachverband der Chemischen Industrie (Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry). CHEMfluencers are young employees from the chemical industry who visit school classes, explain the chemical sector, their companies, their occupational choices and jobs, and then carry out experiments with the children. Werner & Mertz Hallein supports the project with a CHEMfluencer from its own ranks. Sophie, an employee in Quality Assurance at Werner & Mertz Hallein, is one of 30 CHEMfluencers who will be deployed throughout Austria during this school year.

Ingo Frank, Commercial Managing Director at Werner & Mertz Hallein “We are proud that our company is part of this meaningful project aimed at awakening children’s interest in chemistry. It’s inspiring to see how we can support the next generation of chemists with our engagement. Some future employees of Werner & Mertz might just be among these pupils.”